155. The Pain of Watching Your Teen Resist Help: Understanding Resistance to Change

Parenting Post-Wilderness: Parenting a Struggling Teen Before, During and After Treatment

It’s one of the most heartbreaking parts of parenting a struggling kid: watching them resist the very help they need, even when they KNOW they need it.
In today’s conversation, Seth and I talk about the resistance to change: what it looks like, why it shows up, and how powerless it can make you feel as a parent. Whether your teen is avoiding treatment, clinging to unhealthy coping mechanisms, or simply refusing to engage with the support you're offering, this kind of resistance can feel like an endless loop of frustration, fear, and grief.
We unpack the patterns we’ve seen over and over again, both in teens and in the families who love them. And we offer encouragement and insight to help you hold your ground without giving up hope.
You are not alone in this.
In this episode on resistance to change, we discuss:

• The difference between not knowing and not being willing
• Why fear and shame often sit at the root of resistance
• What to do when your teen knows something has to change, but still refuses help
• How to offer support without enabling or rescuing
• When it’s appropriate to set limits or natural consequences
• The deep inner work parents have to do to stay steady through the spiral
• And more.

Looking for support?
🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!
🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.
Have a question or need support? You can email me at [email protected]
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And remember parents, the change begins with us.